Ferdinand appears in court on assault charges

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand appeared in court today to face charges of assault and violent disorder in connection with a fight outside a London nightclub.

The 21-year-old Ferdinand, brother of Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in the brief hearing at Redbridge Magistrates' Court. He was ordered to return for another hearing in seven days.

Ferdinand was allegedly involved in a disturbance outside Faces nightclub in Ilford, east London, on October 2.

"He maintains his innocence and believes his actions were justified and that because of this he believes he has not done anything wrong," Ferdinand's agents, SEM, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ferdinand has played for West Ham since December 2002, making 95 appearances.